BAC Sessions at ABX
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Boston Convention & Exhibit Center
PowerPoint of the sessions
Small Firm Practices Panel Video:
The globalization of the design fields is one of the most significant
changes professionals have grappled with in the last ten years. With
cross-cultural collaborations on the rise, how have design firms
cultivated their own expertise in negotiating the complexities and
challenges that arise in international projects? This session will bring
together small design firms to share stories and strategies about their
global work. Brief “case study” presentations will be followed by small
group discussions that focus issues identified by the session
participants. The session is designed to complement “Session 2:
Collaborative Global Practice: Large Firm Practices.” Attending both
will provide a more in-depth consideration of global practice issues.
The development of both sessions is supported by a 2011 NCARB Grant for
the Integration of Practice and Education in the Academy to the Boston
Architectural College.
Large Firm Practices Panel Video:
With international cross-cultural collaborations on the rise, how have
large design firms negotiated the complexities and challenges that arise
in these projects? This session will bring together large design firms
to share organizational strategies and programmatic thinking about their
global projects. Brief “case study” presentations will be followed by
small group discussions that focus issues identified by the session
participants. This session is designed to complement “Session 1:
Collaborative Global Practice: Small firm Practices.” Attending both
will provide a more in-depth consideration of global practice issues.
The development of both sessions is supported by a 2011 NCARB Grant for
the Integration of Practice and Education in the Academy to the Boston
Architectural College.
The development of both sessions is supported by a 2011 NCARB Grant for the Integration of Practice and Education in the Academy to the Boston Architectural College and by the Sasaki Foundation.
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ReplyDeleteABX 2012 (November 15)
ReplyDeleteCollaborative Global Practice Session 2: Large Firms - Participant & Panelist Reflections
Karen Nelson, BAC:
I used to think this was a good way to earn money in new markets.
Now I think global collaborative practice is a way to build new expertise.
Natalia Wieczorek, New England Window System:
I used to think that the size of an office determined its proprietary/primary status.
Now I think that it’s the people with ideas who retain primary office status, and that’s not necessarily determined by size.
Yong Joo Kim, Cambridge7:
I used to think [collaborative global practice was about] how to design a cool project with collaborators.
Now I think [it is about] how to control/manage projects and stakeholders.
Donald Barany, Perkins + Will:
I used to think global firms/architects designed a project at home and placed it in a foreign location.
Now I think collaboration is thinking about future issues and trying to solve them.
Tom Paine, Ager Group, Inc.:
I used to think our work, if done well, would last for the ages—steady-state. “Monuments.” “Continuity.”
Now I think that process and result are both more complex and less final and permanent, making communication and nimble of response and economy of energy and materials imperative. “Strike the set.” “Contingency.”
Evan Mullen, Port One Architects:
I used to think it was difficult to make a positive difference through design in large scale developing markets like China.
Now I think that due to inherent differences in culture, standards, and norms, global clients can be receptive to other ideas, concepts, and strategies.
Robert Buchetto, Design Group (M.Arch from BAC):
I used to think that when working as a local architect internationally, there is a concern of payment, clarification and design ownership when handing off to the resident architect.
Now I think “make a difference.” Global practice should not be about ownership of design work but rather a sharing of good ideas. We should be more concerned with sharing our knowledge in a collaborative effort to elevate design rather than fight over who gets credit for what. Know the local and global.
Paul Lukez, PLA:
I used to think architects in the U.S. could focus on exporting their expertise and grow their markets.
Now I think this is still true, but I worry about the long-term impact of foreign architects exporting their work/expertise to the U.S.
M. Schexnyder, ADD Inc.:
I used to think global practice was merely a way of accessing new building (growing) markets.
Now I think global practice can be a way of sharing and learning new technology, strategies, and ideas.
Crandon Gustafson, BAC:
I used to think large firms were practicing globally for financial and strategic growth reasons.
Now I think large firm practitioners are inspired by altruism and enthusiasm for design opportunities.
Cristian Lemon, Ager Group:
I used to think global practice was every scale of practice.
Now I think global practice is for large, well-branded firms or highly specialized firms. In other words, “big, little, skip the middle.”
Jessica Leete, Ager Group:
I used to think international travel would be fun and the work would be sharing design expertise.
Now I think: endurance, empathy, sensitivity to culture; understanding of market; ability to read body language.
Michael Grove, Sasaki:
I used to think international jet-setting was glamorous.
Now I think about how much I really love my own bed.
Dennis Kaiser, Perkins + Will:
I used to think international practice would be exotic, creative, and sustaining.
Now I think experience does not translate to domestic market in healthcare . . . the international credential is not that attractive to U.S. based hospital clients.
Martin Gillatt, Steffian Bradley Architects:
I used to think . . . village . . . town . . . city.
Now I think . . . city . . . country . . . continent . . . world.
Peter Steffian, Steffian Bradley Architects:
I used to think there would be a huge language barrier working in China.
Now I think not. All younger educated Chinese speak English.
The differences in experience, approach, and intent vary dramatically between small and large design firms. It's worth asking at what point does the intent shift between experience and viability.
ReplyDeleteCollaborative Global practice points out the disconnect between architecture and design. Design is exported to a foreign land and something is built. What happens when an architect has to disconnect themself from the final product?
ReplyDeleteGlobal design and practice is both an opportunity to expand ones practice as well as expand one's experiences in design. Being open to collaborate and share ideas is key to growing as a local and global designer.
ReplyDeleteABX 2012 (November 15)
ReplyDeleteCollaborative Global Practice Session 1: Small Firms - Participant & Panelist Reflections
Eric Howeler, Howeler + Yoon Architecture:
I used to think I would go anywhere for work.
Now I think it’d be nice to do more work in Boston.
Roberto de Oliveira, over,under:
I used to think collaborative global practice = physical presence elsewhere.
Now I think collaborative global practice can be “local” and elsewhere.
Audrey O'Hagan, Audrey O'Hagan Architects:
I used to think about opening a firm in London.
Now I think about opening a firm in Switzerland instead.
Jinhee Park, Single Speed Design:
I used to think global practice is for a big company that already has a lot of experience.
Now I think global practice is for a small company that wants to acquire a lot of experience.
Will Saltonstall, Saltonstall Architects:
I used to think the barriers for a small firm to enter into global practice were insurmountable.
Now I think there may be a way to do it if you have the vision and personal connection.
Natalia Wieczorek, New England Window Systems:
I used to think that global practice was significantly different from working locally.
Now I think that global practice shares similar challenges in terms of communication, collaboration, and explanation as a local firm, just on a larger scale.
Michael Grove, Sasaki:
I used to think that only larger firms were practicing globally.
Now I think that exporting good ideas is the most important thing for the design profession.
Karen Nelson, BAC:
I used to think our building codes were more sophisticated.
Now I think China’s are.
Karen Nelson, BAC:
I used to think global practice was radically different from local/national practice.
Now I think global practice amplifies conditions of (mis)communication and (un)common expectations.
Paul Lukez, PLA:
I used to think small firms could compete in international markets aided by networks, relationships, technology, and Ambien.
Now I know they can.
Justin Viglianti, OZIIO ideas + design:
I used to think working globally was for large organizations with far reaching resources/a lot of capital.
Now I think global practice is a complex dance performed by those who want to challenge their principals/enjoy the risk.
Len Charney, BAC:
I used to think that global practice was all about learning to conduct the business of design differently than what is involved in conducting the business of design in familiar environs/settings.
Now I think that global practice provides an opportunity to fine tune and be more purposeful about applying the same skills both locally and globally.
Rishi Nandi, William Rawn Associates:
I used to think that the most difficult part of global practice was structuring scope and fee.
Now I think that the most difficult part is communication and having the patience and approach that helps construct and engage the client’s cultural differences.
Chris Ingersoll, Fennick McCredie Architecture:
I used to think international projects might not be worth the effort.
Now I think given the right situation, it might be a new opportunity.
Mark Klopfer, KlopferMarin Design Group:
I used to think the small practice model of doing international work was fairly limited and unique.
Now I think it is a fundamental effect of the economy (nationally and internationally), and has clear limitations in terms of project management, project size, and longevity as a practical model.
Bill Whitlock, Whitlock Architects:
I used to think my cross cultural experiences in practice were unique, i.e., the role of the architect differing, communication issues . . .
Now I think there are common themes and challenges. Often it is merely the clarification of expectations that is most critical to success.
ABX 2012 (November 15)
ReplyDeleteCollaborative Global Practice Session 1: Small Firms - Participant & Panelist Reflections (continued)
Robert Buchetto, Integrated Design Group & M.Arch BAC:
I used to think global practice and collaboration would be a hindrance and designs may not be realized or “lost in translation” when passed on to the international firm.
Now I think it is worth it to expand; keep the line of communication open and “listen.” Architects of the local can integrate with the global if they are bold and open to collaborate.
YongJoo Kim, Cambridge Seven Associates:
I used to think . . . dream work. Never been done in U.S. Kind of cool project.
Now I think . . . same work as here, more patient to manage it (design and documents) but worth to have it as a job (working globally!) and have stories to tell my child.
Thomas Choe, Stantec Architecture:
I used to think global practice was mainly exporting local ideas, trends, and designs to international locations.
Now I think much more complex in having to deal with differences in culture, local building codes, traditions, language, etc., and more of a collaboration between local and international firms.
Donald Barany, Perkins + Will:
I used to think global practice means compromising firm’s identity.
Now I think global collaboration—working with local architects allows an opportunity to develop new relationships and develop greater cultural knowledge in other areas.
Matthew Schexnyder, ADD, Inc.:
I used to think global practice is the domain of larger firms.
Now I think global practice offers a great opportunity for small firms to grow and thrive.
Ruthie Kuhlman:
I used to think benefits from working internationally had to do with design opportunities.
Now I think working internationally benefits seem about creating two way relationships and collaborating/growing ideas between different cultures. There seems to be a benefit to collaborating w/ same team on multiple projects.
Crandon Gustafson, BAC:
I used to think international practice only makes sense for large firms.
Now I think small firms are especially well-suited, from the standpoint of flexibility, firm-wide learning, and adaptable business models, to undertake international work.
Evan Mullen, Port One Architects:
I used to think you had to have a well-established reputation in and connection to a client base in the global forum.
Now I think it hinges on how well you can recognize opportunity and foster these relationships to work with your practice.
Jessica Leete, Ager Group:
I used to think it was about quality of product/design.
Now I think it’s about process, relationships, working toward collaboration, and it takes time!
Sam Coats, Youth Build Boston:
I used to think international design was an export process from designer (US) to building.
Now I think the process of international work must be one of rigorous collaboration between US Architect, local architect, and local conditions.